Alguhan's Pipe Tobacco Reviews

Anniversary - McClelland

2011-02-05T23:45:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Latakia
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

McClelland's Christmas Cheer

2011-02-05T23:38:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ****

Royal Vintage Dark Stoved - Butera

2011-01-10T11:30:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: mild
Recommendation: *

I found this tobacco tasteless. I expected some rich sweet and spicy flavors from this stoved tobacco. But it could not satisfy my needs. It is stoved too much! I don't know how to finish this little tin as I hate to throw away tobaccos.

Brindle Flake - McClelland

2010-12-23T22:54:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Broken Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

I do recommend this blend with 4 stars. The tin description exactly tells what is in the tin. Packs and burns very well, smokes cool. It has no complex flavors in it. Natural sweetness, true tobacco taste, and adequate nicotine dosage brings the 4 stars for this blend.

Arcadia (221B series) - McClelland

2010-12-11T06:06:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

The shag cut and the moisture of this blend is perfect for an even packing and burn. It offers a cool and relaxant smoke. I like the very tasty orientals in it. Most of the reviewers wrote their opinions about the latakia addition of this blend. I agree with those who said that tehere is just a touch of latakia here. It is not hard to detect but sometimes orientals may give a similiar flavor of latakia.
The sweet spiceness of flavors offered me great smoking sessions. I highly recommend it.

McClelland - Dark Star

2010-12-05T00:58:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ***

The flakes come very moisty and hard to rub out. After trying to
dry them in different grades of humidity at last I've catched the
best. Almost totally dried and chopped a bit in a food processor
like Pipestud's method the tobacco packed very well and burned
easily. The very dark virginias offered a mild taste of sweetness
and spicy touches of a fine blend. Nicotine dosage seems to be
light at the beginning but usually satisfies my needs when smoked
in a medium capacity bowl.
I strongly do not recommend this tobacco to beginners. It is very
hard to pack and light so a beginner would leave his pipes away
because of it.

Fribourgh & Treyer - Cut Blended Plug

2010-11-25T05:48:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ***

The flakes are easy to pack and lights without problem. It offers a sweet cool and smooth smoke with somehow fruity flavors. I liked it smoking during day time with a cup of tea or coffe. However it does not wake me up in the morning. As the tin descript?on says it is a light VA flake. I think the less nicotine VA lovers will like it a lot.

GL Pease - Embarcadero

2010-11-25T05:29:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental
Cut: Broken flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

This one was a great pleasure for me. It has all the fine sweet Va flavors enhanched with a wonderful addition of orientals. The orientals in this blend are spicy and oily sweet. With "just to fit my needs" proportions of this blend I've had the sweetness, spicy flavors of true tobacco tastes. I strongly recommend you to dry this weed before you pack. It will stay lit for a long time offering you a long lasting smoke, and will offer also the best flavors it can.

Peterson - Sherlock Holmes

2010-09-16T21:45:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: Mild to medium
Flavoring: very mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ***

The tin smells appetisant. After an half hour of airing the tobacco packs and lights well. It has a fruity light topping and the spicy sweet smoking is just enjoyable. It would fit to my tastes better if it could offer some more strength and natural flavor. I strongly recommend it especially for the beginners.

Cornell & Diehl - Riverboat Gambler

2010-09-02T01:05:00.001-07:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley, Perique, Turkish
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: Medium to strong
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

Well I couldn't decide easily if this blend fits for a three or four star rating. It has a fantastic combination of flavors. But is it too robust for my tastes? It also has a straight, real tobacco taste which is similar to cigar smoking. I think just the lack of some more sweetness was the problem for my rating decision.
I can easily detect the different and enjoyable flavors of the tobaccos in this blend. It offers a nice quantity of nicotine. Packs well and burns even.

GL Pease - Cumberland

2010-09-02T01:04:00.001-07:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley, Perique
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: Medium
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

This is a nice choice for all day smoking if you like the Va-Per blends.
The complexity of the flavors is well balanced. It offers a medium nicotine dosage. Packs very well and burns easily. Even if you smoke this fast it won't hurt you. Burley is smokiness. Virginias are mature and flavorful. Perique adds its usual peppery strongness.

It is just another masterfuly prepared blend from GL Pease.

Cornell & Diehl - Burley Flake #1

2010-09-02T00:40:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley, Perique
Cut: Broken Flake
Strength: Medium to strong
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: full
Recommendation: ***

This blend is one of the best strong blends I have ever tried. Usually I stay away from this kind of strong blends which oftenly causes hick-ups to me. This time I am not regretful.

The mellow Burley and Virginia from this tin offered me all the nicotine and true man's real tobacco taste. These needs are guaranteed upon on first lighting this blend. It smokes cool and if you pay attention on your puffing rhythm you will enjoy all the strengthness till the bottom of your bowl. The Perique addition makes it even more dangerous which is enjoyable before the first half of the bowl and all the combination keeps you awake tıll the end. No sweetness here. All you get ıs a punch of nicotine and full cigar like tobacco flavor.

Recommended for mature pipe smokers. I personally am smoking this stuff in a medium sized bowl, after dinner accompanied with a favorite bourbon or scotch. Then sleep as a baby.

Astley's No.109 Virginia Flake

2010-09-02T00:03:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: mild
Recommendation: ***

As most of the tobacco reviewers agree, the tin description explains well the tobacco. It is a mild and mellow mixture. It suits perfectly when you wish to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in hot summer mornings. The tin content is considerably moisty, so try to air your portion of tobacco for a while. I personally let the tin open for more then a day and rubbed my portions before packing.

I noticed nice sweet flavors of uncased Virginias in this mixture . It has a mild nutty chocolate taste and sometimes fruity flavors. It is not a satisfactory blend for my nicotine and more tobacco taste searching palate, but as I said it fits well for early morning tobacco enjoys.

McClelland - Tudor Castle

2010-08-09T03:04:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental, Perique
Cut: Broken Flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

A fantastic blend for those who do not regret Perique added blends.
This blend has McClelland's specific sweet-sour flavor. The Yenidje addition gives its sweet-spicy flavors all the way you smoke and this fantastic flavor is enhanced with the high quality real tobacco tasted Virginias. Perique is added just to fix the strength of this fine blend.

This tobacco packs well and burns even offering a nice dosage of nicotine and some enjoyable flavors for the real pipe tobacco seekers. If some good Perique addition does not bother you, give it a try, you won't regret.

Ashton - Gold Rush

2010-07-23T01:47:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: very mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: **

Well not much to say. Experienced pipe smokers say that this blend is immature. And this situation does not offer you the rich tastes of pure Virginia smoking. I did believe them but could not resist to try by myself :)
I've dried thinking maybe it would offer that richness, however it smoked even hotter in this way. Dried or not be careful not to smoke it fast! Low nicotine and low taste. This "new" blend was not a memorable smoke experience to me.

Cornell & Diehl - Guilford Courthouse

2010-07-23T01:19:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental (Izmir)
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

I found this blend to be a great Virginia-Oriental mixture. It has a smooth, silky and cool smoke. Easy to keep lit. The sweet dimensions of the Virginia leaf dance very well wit the oily sweetness of the Izmir. And yes, it is nicely spicy too.
I highly recommend this fine blend those who like the Turkish taste added into quality Virginia leaf. You will for sure have nice moments of pipe smoking.

Cornell & Diehl - Sunday Picnic

2010-06-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental, Perique
Cut: flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

This one is one of the best blends I've tried so far in this year. The tin aroma is robust and inviting at first seen.
The Izmir leaf is spicy as usual and much enjoyable. Perique adds a great and echilibrated strongness to the blend. Smokes cool, burns very well.
This rich and complex blend offers sometimes a fig like aroma, in another bowl of smoke you'll enjoy the fine, spicey oriental, and sometimes the sweet Virginias. A must try for all spicey/sweet blend lovers.

McClelland - Virginia No.25

2010-06-17T01:15:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: ribbon
Strength: mild
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ***

Actually this blend deserves a four star rating in comparation with the most other VA blends rated with three stars by me. However I compare this fine blend with the other VA blends of McClelland.
It is a fine ribbon cut tobacco. The tin content smells just like a McClelland blend and it is well moistened. It dries out fast because of the fine cut. Packs well and burns well.
The first puffs are rich in cigarette like taste and well known McClelland sourness. After the 1/3 of the first bowls I've smoked I cought the nice sweetness of the blend with a satisfying matured and stoved VA flavor. The nicotine dosage is less than I've expected.
As the most other McClelland blends just char it and leave a while. Then you'll catch the real fun of it.
A pleasant, tasty smoke yet less satisfying nicotine dosage.

Benson&Hedges - Gold Flake

2010-06-14T02:12:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: very mild
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ***

I smoked a tin of this fine blend almost a bowl or two per day. I can say that it is a high quality flake for any time smoke.
At the first bowls I would rate this tobacco with four stars without hesitating. After a while the casing in this tobacco, which very mild, began to disturb me a little bit. The casing is not overwhelming or untasty but it unfortunately shadows the natural flavor of the very fine Virginia leaf used in this blend.
The flakes are thin and easy to pack. It burns slow. I must say that it is one of the coolest flake I have ever tried.
The casing problem might be just mine. Maybe I will not feel it in this way in some other time in the future. I will surely will give this blend another try and maybe will update my review with four stars. It deserves only three stars for now.

Gawith, Hogarth - Ennerdale Flake

2010-05-22T23:50:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: mild
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ***

Ennerdale Flake has the top particularities of a classical fruity- sweet Virginia blends of Lakeland style. It is similar to St. Bruno as underlined by the other reviewers. However it has an important point that the mild casing never shadows the true Virgina flavor in this blend. That's I think why GH has a top seller here.
It is not a strong blend. Smokes cool, nutty and fruity (maybe soapy for some of us). An all day high quality smoke for me.

GL Pease - Cairo

2010-05-20T04:37:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental, Perique
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

GL Pease made a nice combination of Virginia and Oriental in this can. Its moisture level is perfect for immediately packing. Lights easily.
The Perique addition in this blend may overwhelm you if you are not a fan of it. From my point of view it is delicious. It adds to this blend a great dimension.
The smoke is tasty with sweet Virginia and authentic oriental leaf flavor.
If you pack it loose it will smoke fast and with rich smoke and won't bite. A tight load will burn longer with less smoke letting you enjoying the nice flavors of this blend.

Peterson's Perfect Plug

2010-04-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley
Cut: Plug
Strength: medium to strong
Flavoring: mild to medium
Taste: full
Recommendation: ****

The tin contains a block of hard pressed tobacco protected in a sealed plastic. I like the presentation. It looks like you can take it anywhere in your pocket. It won't dry easily and it will ocupy a small sart of your pocket :) It is dark brown, at a medium moisture degree and very hard.

I have the patience of a pipe smoker and a modeller so I didn't look at how much time it takes when preparing the bowl with this fine blend. I tried to cut flakes and smoked. I also tried to rub it as much as I could. In both versions it lights hard and it is not easy to keep it lit. The flake version is harder to smoke. But with patience and several matches this tobacco satisfied me.

It has a high nicotine dosage. I personally prefered medium sized bowls just for this reason. It offers a deep, tasteful Virginia-Burley smoke. The casing is fruity and smooth but not too sweet.
This blend isn't an anytime tobacco for me. It must be enjoyed after dinner once or twice a week. I hope it will be available also in ready rubbed version, I would like to give it a try.

Gawith, Hogarth - Bright CR Flake

2010-04-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

This is a first class Virginia flake for those who prefer a good sweet and true tobacco taste. It is a nice blend of dark and light Virginias and offers a very nice combination of flavors. It burns slow and cool giving a full satisfaction. However it may be light for nicotine kick lovers. For me it is an all day and any time smoke.

If you look for some complexity this might not fit to your needings. But for sure it will satisfy you with nice and remarkable flavorful smoke. I highly recommend it for pure and sweet Virginia smokers.

GL Pease - Barbary Coast

2010-04-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley, Perique
Cut: Cube cut
Strength: medium
Flavoring: mild
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ***

The tin moisture would make it hard to light and smoke. So please have patience with this blend. It packs and lights very easily after a nice airing.

This is a nice blend. Spicy, cool smoking and satisfaction guaranteed taste. Just because of the full brandy taste I can't smoke it daily. It is an ocassional tobacco for me. It tends to burn fast because of the fine cube cut. So it may satisfy the fast smokers. I personally prefer to smoke very slow.

I found this blend week on sweet Virginias. If you are searching for sweet Va this blend may not be suitable for you.

Robert McConnell - Scottish Flake

2010-03-19T02:00:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia, Turkish
Cut: Flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

I feel bad that I did not try this great blend before.
The flakes are dark in color, with a wonderful, pure, grassy sweet, soure fig like, Virginia smell. The flavors are just what I was searching for.
The flakes have a high humidity level, so I aired the stuff. The airing settled also the flavors for sure. Flakes pack well.
It burns well. Smokes cool. I personally didn't detect any casing. Beside the quality Virginia I enjoyed a spicy flavor which I think means a Turkish addition and somehow a perfectly balanced addition of Burley maybe. The overall smoking experience of this tobacco is great. Offers all the satisfaction of a true pipe tobacco. I highly recommend it.

Dan Tobacco - Hamborger Veermaster

2010-03-18T03:46:00.000-07:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ***

The tins I've received from Dan Tobacco had a very low moisture level. The flakes were easily turning into dust. So I carefully put the containing into my tobacco humidifier. After a couple of days they were ready to smoke.

It packed and light well and it is easy to keep it lit. Burns even and cool offering a quite long smoke. The taste of the true tobacco is present, however it is not enough. Also the sweetness of fine Virginia is not satisfactory. It has a nice dosage of nicotine.

This is a fine all day tobacco. But not enough to satisfy a fastidious Virginia smoker.

Esoterica Tobacciana - Dorchester

2010-03-09T23:42:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Perique
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

Well, first of all I must say that, if you are not a fan of the blends in which the Perique addition has made generously stay away from this stuff. The tobacco in the tin smells nice. It has a shaggy ribbon cut so some of you may prefer to chop it a bit. For me tha packing was not a problem. It lights easily and I can keep it lit without problems. The Virginias are really flavorful and sweet. Perique doesn't let you to enjoy a lot this sweetness. It is spicy and very peppery. The combination of flavors and overall strength of the blend satisfies me. I've enjoyed every bowl of it and ordered some more..

A&C Petersen- Escudo Navy Deluxe

2010-03-02T23:59:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Perique
Cut: Spun cut
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

These disks of Va-Per must be tried by all Va blend lovers for sure. Escudo has a rich tobacco flavor and cool smoke. The Perique addition is masterfuly balanced and I detect its pepperness beside the rich Va flavor, which is very enjoyable for my tastes.

A first class Va-Per blend. Highly recommended..

McClelland - Blended Turkish Ribbon

2010-02-17T00:22:00.000-08:00

Contents: Turkish
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

This is for sure a nice blender tobacco. But it may be very interesting and satisfying for those who enjoy pure Turkish.

It has all the best parts of an oriental tobacco: grassy-sweet, cigarette like taste. Nice kick of nicotine. Slow burning. Enjoyable spicy flavor. However it is one dimensional and may become boring if you smoke it daily.

Available only bulk!

Solani - 633 Virginia Flake

2010-02-17T00:03:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Perique
Cut: Flake
Strength: medium to strong
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

The flakes are compressed and hard. The tin aroma is fantastic. After airing these flakes they pack and burn better.

It smokes cool and slow. The sweet Virginias are rounded well with spicy Perique. If you love the Va-Per blends this one may be one of your favorites. Be careful with your puffing cadence, it may bite and the Perique may become harshful.

Even though it is a strong tobacco, can be smoked all day by those who love Va-Per blends..

Capstan - Gold Navy Cut

2010-01-31T07:10:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none detected
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ****

The high quality leaf shows itself with its wonderfull smell in the tin. The flakes have a medium moisture degree. So you may dry them at your own choice. This will change the smoke in a nice way.

I smoke this tobacco without rubbing the flakes. In this way it offers a long lasting smoke. If you are looking for a strong Virginia flake this may not satisfy your needs. The mild to medium nicotine dosage and cool, fresh smoking makes this tobacco ideal for summer days.

The flavor is a true tobacco, sweety taste.
Highly recommended..

Mac Baren - Burley London Blend

2010-01-20T07:09:00.000-08:00

Contents: Burley
Cut: Rubbed-ribbon
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: very mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ****

After reading the reviews written for this tobacco I gave it a chance and I was not dissapointed.

The semi-rubbed burley smells great in the tin. It is a real tobacco smell and has a perfect moisture degree. Packs and lights easily. It is burning fast but with a well controled puffing cadence it offers a cool and nutty smoke. The casing is very light so that you can enjoy a pleasent sweetness as well as the burley's characteristic true tobacco taste.

It is a good choice for me between my regular Virginia smokes.

Capstan - Original Navy Cut

2010-01-18T01:40:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Kentucky
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ****

I was wondering if these flakes were the unrubbed version of the Capstan's Ready Rubbed pouch. No, they are not the same tobacco. These flakes packs and lights very easily. Offers a cool, delicious and long lasting smoke.

A nice choice for Va flake lovers for their daily smokes. I personally will have this little tin on my shelf regularly.

Cornell & Diehl - Exhausted Rooster

2010-01-13T07:15:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Perique, Burley
Cut: Flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

A great all time tobacco for my tastes. The perique addition is very well balanced, so it doesn't add an unpleasant strength and pepperness to the taste.
I detected a very subtle fruity freshness of the pure Virginia. Many of the pipe smokers may consider this flavor a casing. From my point of view this nice flavor comes out from the pure, high quality Virginia.
The flakes have a suitable moisture degree, although you may dry them a bit to suit your personal preferences. The tobacco packs and lights well. Smokes nicely and slowly.
A top shelf choice for all the Va-Per lovers which will also enjoy the Burley addition here.

Mac Baren - HH Mature Virginia

2009-12-29T00:55:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

Mac Baren made here a very nice blend. It should satisfy all the needs of a Virginia blend lover. The tin contains a well moistured tobacco. I prefered to take the tobaccos in a jar and left the lid open for a day. After the tobaccos have reached a good moisture grade which fits to my taste I loaded a big pipe effortlessly with these ribbon cut blend. The sweet Virginias are very well rounded with the deep flavors of dark Virginias. I enjoyed this very fine blend at each time and will buy regularly. Certainly a top shelf tin for a Virginia lover.

Dan Tobacco - Wittkittels

2009-12-29T00:48:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Coarse
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ***

Wittkittels is a high quality blend. The tin has a mixture of ready rubbed , nice smelling tobaccos at a wonderful grade of moisture. Can be smoked all day. It has a effortles, cool and slow buning smoke. Some fruity flavor touch made a good combination wit the high quality Virginias. A very little Cavendish proportion I think has been added into the blend.

Dan Tobacco - Gordon Pym

2009-12-29T00:19:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental, Latakia
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: medium to strong
Flavoring: none
Taste: extra full
Recommendation: ***

Well at first puffs I thought that the smoke will be a medium quality one and that I will consume this tobacco ocassionally and never buy again. When the overwhelming low quality Latakia has took the principal role on this smoke I was sure that I've made a mistake choosing this tobacco.

The Virginias are nice at flavor. The orientals, if the blend has some, are not detectible, maybe just because of the bad Latakias used in this blend.

Mac Baren - Norwood

2009-12-29T00:16:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley
Cut: Ready rubbed
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: very mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ***

I think Norwood is one of the better tobaccos produced by MacBaren. The cut is something between ready rubbed and broken flakes. Packs well.

It burns even and has a mild, pleasent flavor. It may not satisfy the nicotine needs for a Burley lover althought it can be smoked all day.

It is not a top shelf tobacco but still a quite nice smoke.

Dan Tobacco - Alter Pinnas

2009-12-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Kentucky, Burley, Cavendish,
Cut: Coarse
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ***

This one is a nice blend which you can enjoy all the day.
The coarse cut of the leaves are at a perfect moisture grade. It packs and lights easily. Once you light it for the second time it offers a long lasting, smooth smoke.
The flavors vary as Virginia-Kentucky spicy sweetness, although the spicy notes are very subtle. Beside this a cavendish touch can be detected easily. I think it has a very very little casing which have added a fruity flavor to this blend.
Give it a try, you won't regret!

Solani - Silver Flake

2009-12-09T02:46:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Kentucky
Cut: Flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

Solani Silver Flake has a great true tobacco taste with a nice, subtle pure Virginia sweetness. The spicy note of the smoke is light and adds an excellent pleasure.

The colorful flakes pack and light easily. Offers a cool and long lasting smoke. The only disadvantage of the 100 gr tin is that it isn't vacuum sealed. So the aging of the this tobacco might be a problem.

Do not miss this fine blend. I will regularly keep a tin on the top shelf.

Samuel Gawith - Squadron Leader

2009-11-30T05:40:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Turkish, Latakia
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: Very mild
Flavoring: none
Taste: mild
Recommendation: **

I was expecting something powerful. The tobacco has nice flavors, sweet Virginia and cool Latakia but unfortunately these flavors are hard to detect.
Burns even and smokes effortless. More strength and some more taste are needed while smoking it..

GL Pease - Union Square

2009-11-28T15:57:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Broken flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

Union Square would be a great smoking experience for all the Virginia lovers. First of all it has a stronger and sweet smoke than the most pure Virginias on the market. The sweetness is all natural.

The broken flakes are quite moist and needs to be aired. They dry fast and the flavorss I think settles nicely. It has a nice true tobacco flavor which can bite the smokers with a fast puffing cadence.

The rich Virginia flavor and the nicotine dosage are just well for my needs. I will surely will keep some tins of Union Square always in the cellar.

McClelland - Virginia No.24

2009-11-28T15:46:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

This blend offers all the great tastes of a true Virginia smoke. If you puff it slowly you'll have a great pleasure with some real and sweet tobacco taste and a nice nicotine dose. It is rubbed easily. However I prefer to smoke it unrubbed for a slower smoking. The little flakes are hard to keep lit if you don't air them as they have a higher humidity level. Highly recommended for Virginia lovers.

McClelland - St. James Woods

2009-11-23T14:53:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Perique
Cut: Broken flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

I get used with McClelland tobaccos very well. I leave the tin open and the plastic lit on its place for a couple of days and the humidity and flavors settle well.

The stoved and red Virginias are delightful and the Perique addition to this blend is generos. I like the full tasty smoke of this blend and the sweet-sour flavor of it as the othe McClelland blends. The rich Perique might be somehow overwhelming if I would smoke this blend daily. Although it is an excellent Virginia-Perique blend.

William P. Solomon - Presbyterian Mixture

2009-11-18T03:27:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Turkish, Latakia(??)
Cut: Coarse cut
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ***

This famous tobacco I think deserves its repute. This is a great oriental and virginia blend with a nice strength, sweet, cool, comfortably and very tasty smoke.
The Latakia like flavor adds it also a mistery and makes from this blend a different experience for the smoker. I highly recommend it especially for the beginners who searches for an effortless English mixture smoke.

W.O.Larsen - Old Fashioned

2009-11-18T03:25:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild
Flavoring: medium
Taste: mild
Recommendation: **

If you are looking for a real tobacco taste as I do, this stuff will not satisfy you.
It needs to be dried a bit before packing. After that it will light easily. With slow puffing it offers a comfortable smoke. It tastes and smells like a sweet shop and can be a very nice experience for the beginners. The aromatic fans must give this a try.
After I began enjoying non aromatic tobaccos with natural and real tobacco taste, I don't miss this one. It is a one star tobacco for my taste. I've added the second star because it worths trying by the beginners and aromatics fans.

Tabac Turc - Turkish Pipe Tobacco

2009-11-18T03:24:00.000-08:00

Contents: Turkish
Cut: Broken flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

This tobacco has a very special reputation among the Turkish pipe smokers. It was the only real tobacco they've had, when the access in the global tobacco market was limited, just before the internet shopping was available. The Turkish Pipe Tobacco still is very famous due to old days' memories. An old Turkish pipe smoker just can't do without it even if he has the best products available in his stock. Simply this tobacco didn't let them without tobacco!
Before writing this review I also talked to my friends from Turkey who are smoking this tobacco for more than 30-40 years. Their generation had the opportunity to taste the differences between the different production methods and different tastes of developing tobacco production in years. So these notes are written blending the reviews of some old pipe smokers with my own notes.
Broken flakes are dark colored, strongly smelling locust. Manufacturer says that the tobaccos are packed at 14%- 14,5% humidity. Well it may need drying a bit to light easier. It packs well and burns even. It has a particular taste of tobacco, similar to old days cigarettes, when they were adding less chemicals, enriched with only natural flavors. You will notice the locust flavor immediately. When the smoke goes down, the flavor gets to be bland but noticible. It is not a medium strength tobacco for me, it tends to be strong, but mainly it has a gentle smoking. The locust flavor overwhelms me each time when I begin to smoke a new pouch. This decreases once the tobacco begins to dry and at each smoke when you finish the first quarter.
Suitable for daily smoking. I prefer especially in the morning. With a slow burning and long lasting smoke, I would recommend a Turkish coffee as companion.
You will obtain a very soft, clean, and almost white ash when you finish it. I rarely see this kind of ash.
If you are paying attention to room note please be careful! Even if there are not any interdictions regarding your pipe smoking, do not smoke it next to your spouse and before going to bed please rinse your mouth. Otherwise be ready to sleep on the couch. So, this is a real tobacco, only for the pipe smoker who smokes it for himself.

St. Bruno

2009-11-18T03:22:00.000-08:00

Contents: Kentucky
Cut: Flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ***

Packs very well and lights easily, it is also easy to keep lit. Offers a long lasting, rich smoke. It has a cool, semi-sweet true tobacco taste which becomes full bodied at the middle of the bowl. The nicotine kick just fits my needs.
It deserves a four star rating but for an all day smoke I need something much more tasty, not this much monotone.

Note: This tobacco is blended by Orlik.

Solani - Aged Burley Flake

2009-11-18T03:20:00.000-08:00

Contents: Burley
Cut: Flake
Strength: medium to strong
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

Solani made a great offer with this blend. The true tobacco smell from the tin is very inviting. The flakes have a good humidity level to smoke immediately. At your own choice you can also air them a bit. These can be rubbed and pack easily. However I prefer to pack them without rubing.
Lights easily. It has a cool, very dry and very delicious smoke. It also burns very slow. You can enjoy a relaxing and long lasting real tobacco taste with it. It is not very sweet. With a slow and relaxed puffing you will taste its less sweetness rounded with the pure tobacco bitterness. This natural flavor is catched at the beginning with the very first puffs and lasts till the end of the bowl.
Just perfect for the true tobacco taste lovers!

Samuel Gawith - St. James Flake

2009-11-18T03:16:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Perique
Cut: Flake
Strength: medium to strong
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

Do you like a perique kick? Here you go!
Not a daily smoke but it is in may favorites list.
As usual, like the other many SG flakes, needs to be aired well enough and rubbed how you like. Even if the perique addition is high, the nice natural virginia sweetness of high quality SG flakes is considerable here. The only thing you have to do is to smoke this stuff when you are relaxed and with attention. The play of the perique and virginia is awesome.
And please do not offer this tobacco to a beginner!

Samuel Gawith - Sam's Flake

2009-11-18T03:14:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Turkish
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

Well, very similar to FVF but a pleasant spicy flavor added with Turkish tobaccos. A appetisant look of flakes, dark, silky, and firm.
I preferred to dry the flakes. The flavors are tastier in this way. I usually don't rub the flakes but this is a bit hard to light so I rubbed a little. Smokes well and cool. It is so cool that I can say I've tasted a bit menta like freshness. At the end of the bowl you can say that "aa that's the Turkish!" A delightful, elegant, true tobacco smoke indeed.
One of the most satisfying tobaccos I have ever smoked. Will be added in my stock regularly.

Samuel Gawith - Kendal Cream Flake

2009-11-18T03:13:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley
Cut: Flake
Strength: strong
Flavoring: mild
Taste: full
Recommendation: ****

Like lots of other SG virginia blend flakes, this one also took its place in my forever favorites list.
I don't realy know what essence they have added in this but this mild addition made a great combination with virginia-burley strength. SG used again a very fine recipe for preparing this true pipe tobacco.
Must be dried for easy lighting and full taste. I dried it to crispy and one light was enough for the whole bowl. The strength is not overhelming but it makes me to be saturated.
Virginia blend lovers, please do not miss this one!

Samuel Gawith - Golden Glow

2009-11-18T03:11:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Broken flake
Strength: mild
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: mild
Recommendation: **

I would rate it with 3 stars but I think I could spend the time with a much more satisfying tobacco, like FVF for example. A high quality and easy to smoke tobacco. Can be smoked at any time of the day. But not enough to satisfy my taste buds. It is too delicate. After finishing each bowl I wanted to smoke something else.
Anyway, a good tobacco and worth a try.

Samuel Gawith - Full Virginia Flake

2009-11-18T03:10:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

Well, I am smoking this for more than 10 years and never get bored with it. I believe that it is already a proven nice tobacco for virginia lovers. A natural straight virginia with a good real taste of tobacco.

Samuel Gawith - Chocolate Flake

2009-11-18T03:08:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley, Latakia
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: **

It has an apetizing smell and look in the tin. As many othe SG flakes the humidity level is high, so dry the flakes befor packing into the bowl.
Lights easily, and stays lit. It has a generous smoke and satisfies my nicotine needs. The chocolate sweetness is a shade which covers the nice flavors of the mixture. This is the only disadvantage of the blend for me. Lots of other pipe smokers can find this unique particularity unbeatable. For me the excellent VA, burley and the latakia touch mixture might have the priority.
Even if it is dried well you may have steam problems. Try to smoke very slow, and keep some pipe cleaners nearby.

Samuel Gawith - Black XX

2009-11-18T03:06:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Rope
Strength: very strong
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: full
Recommendation: ***

It is not hard to prepare but takes time. I am cutting 2 or 3 medallions from the rope, air a bit, and rub. I am choosing a smal bowl for this tobacco because it satisfies my nicotine needs in a couple of minutes. Hard to light but once I catch the regular burning it stays lit.
Offers a cool and sweet smoke with a nice taste of tobacco. Yes, it is too strong, not suitable for every day smoke. I think I'll had a bowl of this on rare ocassions. Not the easiest smoke I've ever had, but it is a true pipe tobacco.

Samuel Gawith - Balkan Flake

2009-11-18T03:04:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental, Latakia
Cut: Flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ***

A must try for all the Balkan or/and English mixture fans.
At first sight the flakes are very appetizing. Packs and burns very well. Tasty and very satisfying smoke. I will surely buy more.

Samuel Gawith - 1792 Flake

2009-11-18T03:02:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental
Cut: Flake
Strength: very strong
Flavoring: medium
Taste: very full
Recommendation: **

It is one of the strongest and particular smokes I've experienced. If you are smoking it for the first time please choose a small pipe, dry the flakes as much as you can, and smoke very slowly.
It can be a special smoke for some of the pipe smokers because of the nice, tasty flavors which I liked too, but it is very strong for me. I just can't smoke it.

Robert McConnell - Red Virginia

2009-11-18T02:57:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental
Cut: Broken flake
Strength: very mild
Flavoring: mild
Taste: very mild
Recommendation: *

The very well packing and easy to lit tobacco. Leaving a clean soft ash.
Too much fruity and very mild for my taste. After finishing every bowl, I looked to smoke something else with a rich tobacco taste.
And where is the perique in this blend? I didn't detect it. Sorry, I can not recommend for real tobacco taste seekers. Maybe would be a pace for aromatic fans.

Robert McConnell - Oriental

2009-11-18T02:55:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental
Cut: Coarse
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ***

If you are looking for a bland, non tiring and every hour oriental smoke this can be a good choice. If you are looking for a real oriental this is not for you.
At this point of view this tobacco should receive only 2 stars from me. I've accorded the third for its surprising smoke. It has a very pleasant varieties of flavors during smoking. Perique adds an elegance to this surprising smoke. For sure I will smoke again.
Tolerable strength and nice flavors of this tobacco can mislead you. Be careful not to smoke it fast. It tends to overheat, ruining your pleasure.

Robert McConnell - Glen Piper

2009-11-18T02:53:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Cavendish
Cut: Broken flake
Strength: very mild
Flavoring: mild to medium
Taste: mild
Recommendation: **

The cavendish addition in this blend is somewhat high for my taste. Strength of it is just not enough for me. Packs and lights easily, and offers a light and sweet smoke. The aromatic lovers can smoke this all day. The VA lovers like me would look elsewhere for a true tobacco taste.

Reiner - Long Golden Flake

2009-11-18T02:51:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley, Perique
Cut: Flake
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

When I saw and smelled first time the flakes in their very nice tin I feld in love with them. Packs and lights easily. The love at first sight becomes true with the first taste.
Till the half of the bowl the virginias are dominating with their tasty flavor but the perique doesn't leave them to be very sweet. After the first half burley takes the action and the whole mixture aheads to a strong finish.
A real tobacco taste. Even it is not a cheap product I'll try to have as many tins as I can in my stock.

Rattray - Red Rapparee

2009-11-18T02:40:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental
Cut: broken flake
Strength: strong
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ***

If you are a fan of English blends here you go. If you are not, here is chance for a good try.
Packs and lits very easy. It surprised me with its balance. When I thought that I'm having a natural sweet smoke, the orientals took the main appearance offering a delightful spicy experience. I could swear that the blend has also a pinch of perique. But no, it doesn't. It offers a strong finish so that I prefered little bowls for this blend. Even with those little bowls, I've enjoyed this tobacco more than an hour smoking experiences.
I can't smoke the English blends every day, any time. Once a week maybe, after a good dinner, I enjoyed this blend a lot. I will surely buy more when I will have enough appetite to smoke some good English Mixture.

Rattray - Old Gowrie

2009-11-18T02:38:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: ready rubbed
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

A 4 star tobacco for all times.
I try to dry this blend as much as I can for a fully satisfying smoke. The flavorful and cool smoke is suitible for an every hour and day smoke. I realy enjoy the fine and clean virginia taste with this blend.
Very similar to Hal'o the Wynd, but much more bland. I strongly recommend it for meerschaum users in their meerschaum pipes. Have it for your daily smokes and in your cellar forever!

Rattray - Marlin Flake

2009-11-18T02:37:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Cavendish
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: medium
Recommendation: **

If I would write these notes a couple of years ago, I would give the 4 stars without hesitating. After almost 2 years, I bought a tin of 100 gr, remembering those nice moments of smoking this blend. I am sorry to say that this latest experience was totally different in a bad way. My preferences had been changed? Or the blend? I tried with several pipes, different grades of airing the tobacco.. Not even the lovely presence of perique could't help me with the situation. Nothing have satisfied me like those good days. I remember this blend with a very tasty virginia, perique's richness and cool, long lasting smoke. This time a sour and highly sweetened blend tired and bored me. I think it also received some flavoring. Is it possible that the blend have received somehow a different kind or quantity of cavendish? Or it is just me? I have no idea.
I'll give it a try some more years later again. Maybe then I will edit this review. For now, just 2 stars with a dissapointment.

Rattray - Highland Targe

2009-11-18T02:35:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental, Latakia
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: mild
Recommendation: ***

Not a dissapointment but could it be better somehow?
Fruity-spicy, sweet and cool. Altough I am not a big fan, but just a lover of latakia blends, I expected it to be richer in latakia. It left a nice taste after each bowl, which invited for further bowls.
Not a 4 star for me but worths keeping a tin on the shelf.

Rattray - Hal O' The Wynd

2009-11-18T02:33:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: coarse cut
Strength: medium to strong
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

Another decent stuff from Rattray.
Not that much strong as tin says, not that much bland for an every hour smoke either. It needs to be dried before smoking for a satisfying flavor. Tends to moist a bit but you can adjust this with your puffing skills. With a careful smoking I am sure you can taste the real tobacco taste with a subtle sweetness.
Leaving a dry and clean ash, demonstrating the presence of high quality leaves.

Rattray - Dark Fragrant

2009-11-18T02:31:00.000-08:00

Contents: stoved Virginia
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: **

The stoved Virginias of this tin have an unexpected lightness and sweetness. I think there is an extremely mild addition of casing in this tobacco which makes it tasty.
It needs to be dried a bit. I've tried to smoke it slow and gently, but I couldn't reach to keep the bottom of the bowl dry.
If you are looking for a different, sweet and effortless smoke here you go!

Rattray - Black Mallory

2009-11-18T02:30:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental, Latakia
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

This blend is one of the greates Latakia blends I've tried. And it is the best English blend of Rattray's tobaccos.
The blend has a nice proportion of good tobaccos. The strength is fit to my taste, it does not overhelms and I don't seek for a richer smoke. My normal and slow puffing cadence makes a good, satisfying smoking with this blend.
Lights easily and it no need to effort for keeping it lit.
It has a delightful Latakia taste which remains on palate for hours after finishing the bowl. This is an elegant English mixture. Highly recommended.

Rattray - 7 Reserve

2009-11-18T02:28:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Oriental, Latakia
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ***

This is a classic, simple and satisfying English mixture. Very easy to pack and smoke. You can puff it all day long if you like. Gentle and tasty.
If you look for a stronger blend this one can dissapoint you. The latakia addition seems to be subtile here. The overall blend is nicely proportioned for my taste. As the other English blends I prefer it to smoke occasionaly.

Radford - Sunday Fantasy

2009-11-18T02:24:00.000-08:00

Contents: ?
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: extremely mild
Flavoring: strong
Taste: mild
Recommendation: *

If you are a beginner and a fan of aromatics, this may be a nice experience for you. It smokes somehow hot so be patient and smoke it slow.
Not my taste. It is very sweet. I don't think I will purchase another tin of this stuff.

Planta - Rum & Maple

2009-11-18T02:21:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild
Flavoring: mild to medium
Taste: mild
Recommendation: *

My review notes that I've wrote down, dates early 2003. After that date I didn't give this tobacco another chance. I couldn't finish a tin of 100gr. A sweet taste, hot burning, nothing about rum, nor maple. Just a flavored sweet, and cheap aromatic tobacco.

Note: This tobacco is also produced by Lane Limited in the US

Planta - Veermaster

2009-11-18T02:17:00.000-08:00

Contents: Cavendish
Cut: Cube cut
Strength: mild
Flavoring: mild to medium
Taste: mild
Recommendation: **

I am not a fan of aromatics but sometimes it worths trying different tastes. This is one of those tobaccos. I've purchased it accidentally, instead of an other blend named Hamborger Veermasteer.
It is presented in an handsome oval aluminium tin. Cube cuts are interesting. Smells very fruity. I could understand form the tin description written in German that the cavendish is flavored with cherry, other fruits and vanilla. It is definitely not for me but an aromatic fan shouldn't look elsewhere! So I gave it a chance and I've smoked 4 bowls since now.
Packs well, lights hard. Once you have it lit it goes well. Tends to smoke a bit hot but this can be controlled easily by your puffing rhthym.
Yes, it is very sweet and fruity. I couldn't detect any cherry in it, otherwise I couldn't finish even the first bowl. After puffing it a bit I also had the pleasure of tasting some tobacco somewhere there but not satisfying enough. After the first half of the bowl some pippery/spicy tobacco taste is added to the smoke. But no, it is not enough.
I couldn't finish all the bowls I've smoked. Not because I could't support the taste, they were just boring and I thought I was loosing time.
This is a fine aromatic tobacco. It isn't my taste. If it was, I would certainly rate it with 3 or 4 stars.

Planta - Fisherman's Love Premium Black

2009-11-18T02:15:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Latakia(??)
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild
Flavoring: mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: **

I bought a tin of Fisherman's Love Premium Black just because I was very curios how a blend can contain Latakia and can be also aromatic. Well, I've found the answer.
The main body of the tastes is rounded with some sweet Virginias and just a touch of Latakia. I've expected an English smoke but the blend has also a vanilla touch. It is an easy smoking tobacco. Mild strength and really very tasty.
Will not satisfy the non-aromatic, real tobacco taste fans. But if you catch the opportunity to taste a sample don't hesitate. It is an interesting experience.
The aromatic fans must not miss this one.

Planta - Fisherman's Love Navy Blend

2009-11-18T02:11:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley, Cavendish(?)
Cut: Coarse and broken flakes
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: mild
Taste: mild to m edium
Recommendation: **

Upon opening the tin the honey-like aromatic smell can be disturbing if you are looking for a real tobacco smell. Don't be dissapointed, it will offer you something different.
I looked for the broken flake pieces of burley in the blend. Are they that less? No. Just mix the blend well. You'll find enough of them at the bottom. I've transferred the tobacco in my tobacco pot and left the lit open. Next day the honey-like smell and the humidity was lesser.
Packed and lit easily. First I've had a very sweet taste which was surrounded by the burley later. After the half of the bowl I still had that very sweet taste but the burleys were richer.
The sweetness of the smoke is tiresome a bit for me. The nicotine level is satisfying.
This blend is not offering a very true tobacco taste, neither a full aromatic smoke. You'll find a bit from each properties. It can be a nice experience for both aromatic and non-aromatic fans.

Planta - Danish Black Vanilla

2009-11-18T02:07:00.000-08:00

Contents: ?
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: very mild
Flavoring: medium to strong
Taste: mild
Recommendation: *

I received a tin of this as a gift from someone who doesn't know what a pipe tobacco is. I knew what was awaiting for me but just to be a gentleman I had to light this gift and let my friend enjoying the pleasant room note of it. I couldn't be a gentleman for a long time and had to stop this torture at the half of the bowl. I hate to throw away tobaccos but I couldn't make something better with this tobacco.
Vanilla lovers and some beginners might love this blend. Altough I would like to recommend them to find a much more decent aromatic tobacco. From my point of view it does not worth even one star!

Peterson - University Flake

2009-11-17T15:28:00.000-08:00

Contents: Burley, Kentucky
Cut: Flake
Strength: strong
Flavoring: mild to medium
Taste: full
Recommendation: **

I would prefer a tobacco with much more refined smoke. This is too harsh for me. It is hard to be rubbed out and packed. Hard to keep lit. Not for the beginners. Instead of this, at almost the same price, there are many other pleasent Virginia mixtures to enjoy.

Peterson - Irish Whiskey

2009-11-17T15:25:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley, Kentucky
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: medium
Flavoring: mild to medium
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: **

Needs attention while smoking. With a slow and controlled puffing it may satisfy you and keep the nicotine kick at the limits. Has a steady and cool burning.
I personally will choose something different with less additional flavoring. This one is not for my taste.

Peterson - Irish Oak

2009-11-17T15:22:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Cavendish, Burley, Perique
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: strong
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: extra full
Recommendation: *

With this tobacco: My flavor needs are not satisfied. Nicotine kicks. After the first half bowl the perique is overwhelming.
If you like the perique just in second roles like me, stay away from this blend.

Peterson - Irish Flake

2009-11-17T13:59:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Kentucky
Cut: Flake
Strength: very strong
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: full
Recommendation: ***

First of all let me say that I've rated this full taste tobacco with 3 stars just because it is too strong for me. Otherwise I would rate this true pipe tobacco with 4 stars.
I aired the flakes and didn't rub them because the slower smoke is the better. On first puffs it hits with its strength but I can't stop myself to smoke it. It is delicious and full.
I know it sounds weird but after smoking the first quarter it seemed to me that it looses from strength and becomes much easier to smoke. The flavor is the stoved virginia, very nice. I can taste a little sweetness of it and it is fresh, too.
Not a daily smoke for me because of its nicotine overdose, bu I warmly recommend it for experienced smokers. The beginners would have tongue biting and keeping lit problems for sure.

Peter Stokkebye - Luxury Twist Flake

2009-11-17T08:27:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Cavendish
Cut: Twist flake
Strength: very mild
Flavoring: very mild
Taste: very mild
Recommendation: **

Luxury Twist Flake has an apetisant form and smell, packs and lights easily. Offers a cool, long lasting smoke.
Unfortunately this high grade tobacco has a mild strength and flavor for my tastes. It has a sweet taste which has been enriched with a casing. I can't explain the casing, maybe it is just the cavendish, although it reminds me a bit vanilla.
The mild strength and less taste can result a fast puffing cadence which ruins the smoke. I hardly recommend smoking this tobacco very slowly.
If you look for a sweet and mild strength tobacco this one can be one of your favorite.

Peter Stokkebye - Luxury Navy Flake

2009-11-17T08:25:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Perique
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: mild
Recommendation: **

Actually belong some tobaccos which I've rated with 2 stars, the Luxury Navy Flake deserves the third star. But for a good Virginia-Perique blend I think it is very mild on taste and strength.
This blend has a good quality Virginia leaf in it. The flakes are smelling really apetisant. It lights and smokes easy. The very first taste is a good sweet Virginia taste with just a touch of peppery Perique. I expected it to reach a satisfactory richness of taste and strength. It didn't. It smokes in its light way.
When you want the smoke to be richer at taste and strength you may puff the pipe harder. This is a kind of reflex we do without thinking sometimes. If this tobacco bites your tongue this may be the reason. You need somethin stronger.
I'll recommend it for the beginners to experience how a high quality Virginia-Perique blend tastes whit a well balanced puffing cadence.

Peter Stokkebye - Luxury Bullseye Flake

2009-11-17T08:23:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Perique, Cavendish
Cut: Curly
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

The discs are very elegant. I adore the Virginia-Perique mixture's color and the dark cavendish bulls eye at the middle.
It packs nicely, without rubbing it out. At the first light I've understand that something nice will be going on my palate and tongue. It bites with the Perique's strongth while sweetening my tongue and my nose is nicely tickled. An extraordinary pleasure for my tastes.
It has a full taste of long lasting, dry and cool smoke. After the half of the bowl I catch the necessary strength for my needs and it makes a great finish which satisfies my all smoking needs.
This is a great pipe tobacco.

Orlik - Three Nuns Original

2009-11-17T08:08:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley
Cut: Curly
Strength: strong
Flavoring: very mild
Taste: extra full
Recommendation: *

After reading the reviews with much stars, I think I had big expectations from this blend. Sorry for saying this, the taste and strength of this blend are not well proportioned for my taste.
Yes I do like strong blends with nice proportions of perique, but I also look after for a gentle, somehow bitter-sweet, nonacrid taste. Three Nuns left me with a dry and sour mouth.
I will buy some tobacco tasty products at cheaper prices.

Orlik - Park Lane No.7

2009-11-17T08:06:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley
Cut: Flake
Strength: mild
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: **

This blend is similar to Amphora regular. Maybe it is a little bit lighter and less aromatic.
The very nice sweet flavor is associated also with an elegant pippery taste of real burley, which I consider a true tobacco taste.
Puffing slowly burns well, and satisfies almost all my needs. Maybe I would give it one more star if it was stronger a bit.
Would be an all day smoke for me. I am sure I would buy more of this, but the life is so short and there are lots of better tastes to discover.

Orlik - Golden Sliced

2009-11-17T08:02:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Flake or Ribbon
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

I preffer to smoke the flake version of this tobacco.
A pure, not very sweet tobacco taste.
Let it dry a bit, rub at your own choice if you wish. Lights very easily. Take care while smoking the second half. It needs to be smoked slowly. Otherwise you'll ruin a very nice finish.
Light and flavorful smoke, rich in nicotine. Very satisfying from all points of view. An all day smoke. If you are looking for a pure tobacco smoke with natural Virginia sweetness you will not need something else.

Orlik - Erinmore Mixture

2009-11-17T07:56:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Cavendish
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild
Flavoring: very mild
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: **

It packs and lights well. Offers a long and quite nice smoke.
Its particular flavor can be interesting, nice or repulsive. You must try and see yourself.
For me it was interesting at the beginning. Then became just monotone. I have smoked exactly 15 tins of this blend between the years 2004 and 2008. The latest box with 5 tins were almost 4 years old. I didn't see any difference. That particular flavor was not interesting anymore to me so I quit smoking this blend. Not an unforgetable for me.

Orlik - Bull's Eye

2009-11-17T07:54:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Perique
Cut: Curly
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

If you seek for a real Virginia-Perique blend in which the Perique addition is dominant and tickles your nose and palate, here you go! This might be a very good choice.
The disks are elegantly presented. The tobacco packs and lights easily. Offers a real Virginia sweetness covered nicely by the peppery flavor of the Perique. I enjoyed the smoke overall from top to bottom of each bowl. It doesn't get very strong to overwhelm my needs even when reached to the bottom.
I highly recommend it to Perique lovers. If you are a beginner without any Perique experience, better begin knowing the Perique with an other blend, this may overwhelm you!

Orlik - Black Diamond

2009-11-17T07:50:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley, Cavendish
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: very mild
Flavoring: medium
Taste: mild
Recommendation: **

One of the best aromatic tobaccos I've tried. It has a cool, sweet smoke, with a mild taste. Remains dry and it is easy to smoke.
In spite of the elegant, black tin, the tobacco is protected in a low quality plastic bag. The tin is not suitable for keeping the tobacco. It will loose its humidity in a couple of hours. So after opening the pack keep your tobacco in a pot. I am not sure about the burley and oriental content. The black cavendish, yes very tangible.
Although I am not a fan of aromatics and this tobacco also overwhelmed me with its flavors, this is a high quality and elegant aromatic tobacco. I couldn't finish the tin, no, not for me. But for sure, the aromatic lovers would enjoy.

McClelland - Yenidje Supreme

2009-11-17T07:27:00.000-08:00

Contents: Oriental
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

Yenidje Supreme is one of the best orientals I've ever smoked.
The McClelland's usual sour smell, lots of smokers name it ketchup, adds a very particular flavor to this blend. I air dried the tobacco and smoked it daily one bowl after another. Will be a great pleasure to smoke it again as soon as possible. Here you can taste a very good quality of oriental tobacco blend with an unforgetible play of spices on your taste buds.

McClelland - Yenice Agonya

2009-11-17T07:25:00.000-08:00

Contents: Turkish
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild
Flavoring: extremely mild
Taste: mild
Recommendation: ***

Well, not as impressive as Yenidje Supreme. But still a nice experience and a must try for oriental fans.
A smooth and delightful smoke. Fits for me in the mornings. It does not offer you surprizes, a mild, spicy nice oriental taste.

McClelland - Virginia Woods

2009-11-17T07:23:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ***

A very tasty tobacco as I expected from McClelland's Virginia blends. It has a natural sweet-sour (spicy?) tobacco flavor.
I chared it and results were great. Burns very well, slow and cool. Smokes dry with a nice flavor balance. It is fruity tasty on the tongue and you can detect also the deep flavor of the stoved Virginia.
Even if it has a long lasting smoke, which I like to enjoy a lot, my nicotine needs weren't satisfied. But no problem, I'll prepare another bowl with this sweet cookie quickly!
An all day creamy smoke for me. I warmly recommend it for those who like enjoying natural tobacco flavor.

McClelland - Smyrna No.1

2009-11-17T07:21:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Turkish
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

McClelland made a nice surprise and has placed a uncut leaf at the top of the tin content. I still remember the tobacco fields nearby my grandpa's town, very close to Izmir. Those tobacco plants had the same leaves as the one which I've found in this tin. The tobacco is at a nice grade of humidity but I also aired it a bit. So the well known sour McClelland smell settles well. Packed and lit very easy.
With first puffs a sweet and creamy flavor occupies the mouth and immediatelly the spicy taste adds its presence. Till the half of the bowl the spices are at background and then they take the main appearence, giving a delightfull and gentle strength to smoke. It is hard to smoke this tobacco because it is very tasty. But be patient and smoke it as slowly as possible, otherwise it leads a hot smoking. With a slow burning it will satisfy your flavor and strength needs better. Ends with a clean and soft ash.
This tobacco is one of the best oriental blends I've ever tried. With the other blends of this series it will be in my routine for sure.
While smoking this tobacco I remember my mom's stories. When she was a little kid she and her brothers were helping their neighbours for harvesting these tobacco leaves. They've had very nice childhood days on those fields. Who knows, maybe I am smoking now the leaves harvested by those neighbours' grandchildren!

McClelland - Katerini Classic

2009-11-17T07:20:00.000-08:00

Contents: Oriental
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild
Flavoring: none
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: ***

Katerini Classic didn't dissapoint me as the rest of the Grand Orientals Series tobaccos. It is so good that I only can compare it with the other tobaccos of the same series.
I found this one similar to Samsun and Black Sea Sokhum (all of these three tobaccos are from the same seed, but grown in different zones). It is a mellow version of Samsun, with almost the same cigarette like flavor, and lower nicotine dose. It has a subtle spicy note and a little bit oily taste which reminds Yenice Agonya from the same series. I can say that it has also a very subtle sweetness.
Packs and lights easily, leaving a fine whitish ash. A must try for the oriental fans.

McClelland - Drama Reserve

2009-11-17T07:18:00.000-08:00

Contents: Oriental
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

Another great tobacco from the Grand Orientals series.
Besides the nice spicy, oriental taste it really has a particular taste which I liked a lot. If I would'nt read the tin information regarding olive oil fragrance, I wouldn't describe this gentle and delicious flavor. Yes it is olive oil indeed.
A must try and must have for all the oriental fans.

McClelland - Classic Samsun

2009-11-17T07:17:00.000-08:00

Contents: Turkish
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: mild to medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

As the other Grand Orientals series tobaccos from McClelland, this one offers an enjoyable, nice in strength, tobacco tasty and an unforgetable smoke.
If you are get used with the general sweet-sour smell and taste of McClelland tobaccos, you'll see also in this tobacco how it pronounces the overall taste and fun of the smoke. The main caracteristic cigarette like taste of Samsun leaf is rounded perfectly with McClelland's specific smell.
This tobacco packs, lits and smokes effortlessly. I highly recommend to air the tobacco before smoking for first time. And after opening the tin you'll see in a couple of days that the smell and flavor of the tobacco settles nicely. Actually this happens with all the McClelland's tobaccos I've smoked.
A must try real Turkish.

McClelland - Black Sea Sokhoum

2009-11-17T07:15:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Turkish
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: medium
Flavoring: none
Taste: medium to full
Recommendation: ****

As the other McClelland Grand Oriental series tobaccos I've unsealed the tin, closed the lid, and left it a couple of days for the smell and flavors to be settled.
The very well known, typical McClelland's sour-sweet smell and flavor is present in this tin. The subtile cigarette smell can be detected even from the tin. As said on tin description this is not a cigar (cuban for example) taste. This is cigarette taste. Some of our reviewer friends may have had this misunderstandig.
This blend smells and tastes like Classic Samsun of the same Grand Orientals series. It is a bit more powerful and sweet. The Virginia addition must be somehow higher in this blend. Behind the sweetness of Virginias the exotic, cigarette tasty oriental is present. This Turkish also has more spicy notes than the Classic Samsun. The bowl gets richer in smoke and flavors when you reach the half of it. It finishes without any bite or overhelming taste or nicotine dose, leaving a soft whitish ash.
If you like the sourness of typical McClelland blends and fine oriental smokes like me, this one is also a great choice together with the other blends of the same series. I'll keep on smoking at least one bowl per day from these Grand Orientals. And Black Sea Sokhoum will not be an exception.

Mac Baren - Virginia No:1

2009-11-17T07:06:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia
Cut: Ready rubbed
Strength: extremely mild
Flavoring: very mild
Taste: very mild
Recommendation: *

MacBaren did it again! A very nice selection of Virginia leaf cased in MacBaren's way, with honey I guess this time, and reached to be a biting, harsh burning, far away from a natural sweetness of true Virginia pipe tobacco.
An elegant tin, good moisture level and it packs and lights good. Burns completely and effortless, leaving a clean, whitish grey ash. You need to smoke it slow because it gets hot and you think you loose the pleasure. In fact it offers some less pleasure even if you are smoking it slowly. It has a somehow honey sweet taste far away to be a natural sweet Virginia with full tobacco taste. I even checked several times if the pipe is lit! Hopefuly I have good eyes enough to see the smoke! A nice cloud of pipe smoke without the enough taste of true tobacco.
Instead of buying this tin put some more money and buy a true, full taste, pure Virginia blend!

Mac Baren - Vanilla Cream Loose Cut

2009-11-17T07:03:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Cavendish
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: very mild
Flavoring: medium
Taste: mild to medium
Recommendation: *

Another sweet MacBaren product and not for me. The aromatic fans must give it a try.
It reminded me the very first years of my pipe smoking experience. Those days were sweet as vanilia but not now.. I prefer real pipe tobaccos.

Mac Baren - Plumcake

2009-11-17T07:01:00.000-08:00

Contents: Virginia, Burley, Latakia, Cavendish
Cut: Ribbon
Strength: medium
Flavoring: mild
Taste: medium
Recommendation: ****

When I was not a fan of pure viriginias, this was on the top of my favorites. I've smoked tens of tins of 100 gr. The smell and smoke of this tobacco is like a true tobacco. For a few years I prefer to smoke this blend occasionaly only in the evenings and especially in autumn and winter. It may be overhelming if you smoke it all the day. I would like to recommend a slow burn for the best results. A fast smoking can hurt! I had also opportunity to smoke aged tins. The burley and latakia flavors become bland, and yes, you feel the Jamaikan rum flavor even better.